Work Text:
After finally parking his truck, Dell let out a deep sigh as he leaned back in the seat.
Frankly, he expected he'd find himself at his workshop, whether the one at the shop or the one at SHIFFON. But Miss Pauling had practically almost begged him to leave, saying something about seeing him not leaving the property was bumming her and the night-shifters out. He couldn't help but laugh at the hypocrisy now, Miss Pauling of all people telling that to his face. She probably could pick up on it when he started to laugh at her suggestion.
But that didn't stop her, in fact she got so desperate to get him out, Miss Pauling started giving suggestions on what he could do instead of going home. Saying he could at least go do something nice for himself, go have dinner someplace, go for a walk at a local park, catch a late night film. Anything that would at least get him out for a few hours before coming back to pass out in his workshop, like she had caught him doing. Multiple times.
Dell knew it was a bad habit, one he picked up over working long endless shifts at the family shop. He shouldn't be doing that at SHIFFON. It wouldn't be giving his new boss any good impressions… but he couldn't help it. He just couldn't stay there. Not in that empty house… He couldn't do it.
So here he was, at the drive-in. He had come in a tad early for the next viewing, but not that he cared. Not like he had anywhere else to be. He'd argue he COULD be working but maybe Miss Pauling was right. When was the last time he did something as simple as watch a movie? He couldn't remember. The last couple of years-or decades would be more precise- were all focused on work. Work on his studies, work at the shop, work on repairing the mech. Anything to just keep him from being alone with his mind.
What movie was even playing again? He had only glanced at posters on the outside… Suppose he'd just have to find out. And if it was bad enough, he'd just fall asleep in the car. He's slept in worse spots. Not like his body would mind getting extra hour or two of sleep.
The sudden beeping of his work communicator suddenly snapped him out of his train of thought, looking down at the tiny device. A name popping up on the screen, Rayoneer.
This should be good… he answered it.
"Now what the hell you callin' me for?", Dell fought a spiteful smirk as he spoke into the communicator. "Surely not for a distress call".
The french man scoffed in return, "Oh please, as if that would ever happen…".
"Right, I'm sure you'd happily welcome death over the humiliation of having to call lil ol' me for help".
"Precisely. Glad we're on the same page for a change".
Dell stifled a laugh, "…Flo called ya, didn't she? Wanted to make sure I wasn't workin' in secret or somethin' huh?".
"Perhaps…".
"Alright, is-", he tiredly laughed, shaking his head. "-Is it really just me that sees the irony in that? Her of all folks worried about how much someone else is workin'?".
A quiet chuckle could be picked up over the communicator, "Oh yes, the hypocrisy is baffling… Did you know with her previous employment, she only got a single day off a year?".
"No… you gotta be lying".
"I wish. Hearing about that was extremely depressing… Almost as depressing as sleeping in your workshop in between a double shift".
Dell rolled his eyes, there it was. The jab at him. "What? You worried over me now? Already got Florence on that, don't need you doing that either".
"Eugh! No. It's simply very pitiful to me... Almost like your truck. Can't imagine how cluttered it is inside that thing. How you're sat there so comfortably is beyond me".
Immediately Dell stopped, darting his head all around. If it was anyone else saying that. His heart would've sank, the paranoia quickly setting in and scurrying for whatever weapon he had buried in his truck. But considering who he was talking to, he only laid his head back, shaking it as he let out a low sigh.
"Why in Sam Hill did you follow me to a fucking drive-in of all places?".
He'd be surprised to a hear a snort come from the other end, followed by a laugh. One that for once lacked any scorn behind it. "Actually, I was here before you. I had no intentions of going to find you, only went to check my radar just to see if you had even left the base and there you were. A pure, humorous coincidence. Nothing more.".
Dell had doubts, but as he glanced around, he didn't hear or see any cars had parked near him ever since he did. Perhaps Ray was telling the truth, but still. What were the chances of that? Hell, the man likely could've been lying about being in a car. That slippery bastard could've been anywhere, just watching and taunting him for fun. He wouldn't put it past him. He wouldn't let it phase him if that was the case, that'd be only giving him what he wants.
"Wouldn't have taken you for a drive-in fella, seems a little low-class for ya", he smirked as he mocked the man, "Could see you at some prissy opera show, or some mind-numbing gala-ball bullshit. Sticking that nose of yours up at the poor while sipping away at your fine wine".
"I'm a man of film, Dell. I will partake in it no matter where it is, whether in the finest of cinemas or in the comfort of my rather luxurious car…". Ray bragged as he let out a breath, likely from smoking a cigarette. He didn't even seem phased by what Dell had said.
Dell rolled his eyes hearing that, of course he had to find a way to say he had an expensive car. A show-off as usual.
He quickly decided to change the subject. "What movie's about come on anyway? Didn't read the damn posters. Just drove in and paid to kill the time. If it's something you're willing to watch maybe I made a mistake trying to sit through a shitshow".
Rayoneer snorted, but not in amusement. "If you consider Jaws, One of the highest grossing films in cinema history, a 'shitshow'. Then I seriously can't decide whether to be disgusted by or feel sorry for you and your taste".
"Oh… I uh-…I never got around to watch that one actually", Dell confessed, almost embarrassed.
"Well, now I do feel sorry for you… Even Heavy has seen this one".
"I just never got around to it. Was busy with… stuff. Did hear it was pretty good though. Made folks scared stiff of the water and all shark crazy when it came out".
"Suppose you'll just have to wait and see if you fall under that spell. That would be amusing", Rayoneer scoffed, "It's an improvement over the book, I'll tell you that much".
"This movie had a book?".
"Oh, yes. I thought it was terrible. One of the few instances a movie is an improvement on the original story. Still haven't the slightest idea how it got so successful, but I say that about a lot of things".
"I'm sure you would", Dell snickered, he could feel himself starting to relax in his seat. "You.. go to these things often?".
"…Yes, actually".
"More than a cinema?".
"Most of the time I just end up sneaking into a cinema".
"Ohhh, a supporter of films yet doesn't pay for a ticket? Tsk-tsk, Ray", Dell teased.
He smiled when he heard a laugh in response. "Excuse me! I will buy a ticket and watch it properly with a second viewing… if it's any good. I won't let bad work waste my money and my time. With these places they usually show films I've seen prior, so I don't have to be concerned about my money or time… and besides, I can freely smoke in my car. So there's a plus".
"Yeah. I doubt most folks want a smokin' nightlight in the room while they're tryin' to watch the pictures anyway, maybe best you stay in your hotboxed hotrod or somethin'".
He could hear the other man hold back a snort, this only made Dell snicker some more. For a fancy pants superpowered spy, he really had such a stupid laugh. The type you couldn't help but wanna laugh the second you heard it. At least the more 'genuine' one he's gotten to hear occasionally, not that grating mocking one.
Rayoneer let out a longing sigh, almost as if he was reminiscing "I haven't been caught doing that in a looong time. Not likely I'd be seen doing that now, though".
"Wait wait wait-", Dell leaned in, smiling widely at the image he just got. "So you actually DO glow in the dark?".
"No I-...", Rayoneer paused, then quickly chuckled. "That's a story you won't be hearing".
"Well, that either confirms that you do, or at least can. You gotta be the worst to watch movies with in that case", Dell laughed.
"If you're this talkative during them. I'd say you're not much better, labourer".
The two of them laughed again. Perhaps the most the two actually have during a conversation between eachother. Maybe it was the fact they were out of work, or perhaps it was them not being face to face and ready to bite eachothers heads off. Although…He couldn't help but wonder…
Dell cleared his throat, "So uh-... What happened in the book?".
"What? You want to spoil the whole premise of the film? What's the point of you even being here then?", the spy scoffed.
"You said the book was shit, I'm curious. It'll kill some time before the pictures finally start. 'Sides if it was so bad written down, then surely this movie wouldn't be as good as they say if they didn't do somethin' different, right?".
He heard nothing for a moment, but eventually got a sigh. "Alright. Let me try to think back to that terrible reading experience…".
As he heard the man speak into the communicator, he smirked as he stepped out of the truck. He had no real intention of listening, instead gazing around at his surroundings. Quite a good couple of cars surrounded him, couples and groups of people all grouped together in many of them. Until one caught his eye, almost hidden away from sight, near the front. But the sight of this luxurious red Lamborghini, as well the slightest trail of smoke peaking from one of the windows, was a dead giveaway of who it belonged to.
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Rayoneer had continued to talk into the speaker, leaning back in his own chair as he tapped his cigarette onto the ash tray. "And don't even get me started on the whole marital cheating subplot. Mon Dieu, it was such an annoying part of the book! The whole idea of the story was to be a terrifying thriller about a killer shark, yet the author seemed much more interested in shoving as much innuendos as possible and talk about anything to do with-".
The sudden knocking at the passenger window startled him, making him jump and quickly turn, a hand going to his switchblade hidden in his coat… only to be surprised to see Dell standing there. Food from the concession stand in his arms as he smirked down at him through the window. He was grateful now that he had kept his mask on out of habit, else he would've risked his face being seen…
For a moment they were locked in a silent staring contest… until the spy eventually reached over and opened the door, letting the man slip into the car. They sat in an awkward silence again… both of them staring forward, toward the screen.
"…Were you not listening to a word I was saying?", Rayoneer finally spoke up, almost offended.
"Nope. Not at all. Figured it wouldn't matter. Just wanted to keep you distracted for a second while I found ya", Dell smirked as he handed him a box of popcorn, taking a bite of a piece himself.
While he did take it, he couldn't help but eye him cautiously, "…What's your angle here? Trying to get the upper hand on me?".
Dell only laughed, shaking his head. "Can you just be normal about somethin'? I'm only trying to be friendly. That's all".
Rayoneer recoiled at the response… truthfully, he didn't quite understand their strange animosity… but so far their conversation over the communicator had been shockingly pleasant. Still, he hesitated to buy into the thought that their bond could be anything else.
"…So… you want to be friends?", he asked, his eye squinting at him in confusion.
"Do you wanna be?", Dell asked in return… at first with a smirk and a raised brow.
But as silence fell between the two again and their gazes went elsewhere, the tone became more awkward.
"…Guess we're both on the same page about this whole thing, huh?", Dell gave an awkward laugh.
"It would seem so…".
The lights of the screen caught their attention, the movie was finally starting… They fell into silence as they watched the movie.
While he wouldn't really partake in this kind of food, Rayoneer took a bite of the popcorn anyway. He couldn't remember the last time he ate this stuff. Almost nostalgic… Perhaps this one he'll partake in it.
His eyes couldn't help but occasionally glance to the man beside him, who's eyes were fixed on the projector screen…
But he soon gave a little huff as he leaned back into the leather seat. "…Kinda wish I got drinks now, but they didn't have nothin' good. Darn expensive too. Paid enough for the food alone".
A sly chuckle escaped Rayoneer as he gestured to the glove compartment, "Another perk to a drive-in theater… is that they can't tell me I'm not allowed that in if I already had it".
After flicking it open, he couldn't help but chuckle at the sight of a bourbon bottle and a few small glasses.
"You keep this in here? Drinkin' and drivin' ain't exactly a good look, pardner".
While he shot a glare, Rayoneer's smirk didn't vanish as he opened the bottle. "Do I look like Igknightor?", the both chuckled at that jab at their coworker. "I save it for these kind of occasions… never enough to get drunk. I still have to drive after all. I'm more responsible than that. Obviously".
As much as Dell wanted to poke at that, he kept it to himself. He'd much rather keep on his colleagues good side at the moment, especially at the offer a glass of bourbon.
They both laid back in the car seats, comfortably in silence as they stared at the projector screen. The two calmly entertained despite the gruelling opening of the movie.
Neither of them would admit it… but it was nice to have company for a change.
The same thought would go through each of their minds.
Maybe he's not so bad…